Clarksville Academy is beginning to master the scheme that new coach J.D. Sellers has implemented.

Soon the Cougars will get a chance to see how their understanding of Sellers' offense and defense plays out in live action.

Clarksville Academy enters the 2017 season with a new coach for the first time in seven years and the former Austin Peay assistant has raved about his team's ability to pick up his coaching techniques.

"Their game I.Q. is exactly where it needs to be," Sellers said. "I can't be more happy with how everyone has really picked up our scheme and what we're teaching."

And leading that charge is sophomore quarterback Bryce Robinson, who is arguably the most pure passer in the city. But Sellers isn't discounting his ability to tuck the ball and run.

"I think that may get overlooked," Sellers said. "He has some speed and can run the ball. I know you usually see option quarterbacks in Clarksville and Bryce can really throw it well but he can run it, too."

And Robinson's leadership on the team has already impressed his coaching staff.

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Clarksville Academy players run through drills during their first practice of the season.(Photo11: Erica Brechtelsbauer/The Leaf-Chronicle)

"Our very first team meeting, Bryce was working on a school project and couldn't make the meeting," Sellers said. "So we started the meeting with the other guys but they didn't want to start it without Bryce. That tells you how much his teammates like and respect him."

Robinson will have company in the backfield with senior Jason Longwell, who was on his way to a stellar junior year until he broke his leg halfway through the 2016 campaign.

"He's another one of those smart, intelligent, competitive guys that we like," Sellers said. "He understands our concept and that makes you feel good as a coach knowing you have so many guys that can absorb the material, process it and then execute it."

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Clarksville Academy players Shawn Scott (62) and Hunter Bracy (5) huddle and cheer during their first football practice of the season on July 24, 2017.(Photo11: Erica Brechtelsbauer/The Leaf-Chronicle)

Clarksville Academy's offensive line has undergone a scheme change as well as Sellers said he'll bring some of the college game to Clarksville Academy. Seniors Jackson McIntosh and Montgomery Allison will be the leaders up front.

And with limited roster numbers, Sellers has stressed the need for a new strength and nutrition plan that should help the Cougars avoid mass injuries that have cropped up in years past.

"It's football," Sellers said. "Injuries happen, but we're trying to cut down on the sheer number of them and part of that is helping them understand nutrition and how we lift and the kinds of practices we have."

Reach Prep writer George Robinson at georgerobinson@theleafchronicle.com or (931) 245-0747 and on Twitter @Cville_Sports.